I don't really know how I got here.
Like my cat, I was rescued.
But it wasn't bowls of Friskies on the porch that saved me.
It was pages of poetry I stole
from the shelves of my childhood.
It was a yearning to dream wider and weirder,
to do as we imagine
like a ladybug or a lighthouse tender
to huddle with those souls who defy definition
around a beach fire that won't burn out
to learn to play decent tennis
in a fishing village where it rains 60-inches a year
to love the crisp snap of a one punch knockout
and give yourself license to get sentimental
during the theme song from Jeopardy.
To make people cry at weddings
and laugh at funerals.
To connect with ex-cons roofing your house
and supermodels monetizing their brand.
To slink wild into the thicket of morning
with hot-tempered joy
to gulp gratitude like free beer
to become fluent in humanity.
EXPERIENCE
Freelance, Portland, Present, Writer, CD
Sockeye, Portland, Amsterdam, 2015-2025, ECD, Writer
Razorfish/Publicis, Portland, Auckland, 2000-2014, GCD, Writer
Moffatt Rosenthal, Portland, 1996-2000, Writer
University of Oregon, Eugene, MFA, Creative Writing
My resume is short because the people I work with
make it impossible for me to leave.
They feel this way because I really care about them and the work we are doing.
I want us to grow as dreamers and creators,
as believers who crack open the bone of life
and suck out the marrow.
I enjoyed each of these experiences,
even my first day at Razorfish,
when my boss flew us to meet with our lead client.
The new CEO was a middle-aged gent
with terrific hair and a lemon Tommy Bahama shirt.
He didn't just fire us. He berated us. He belittled us.
He told us how inept we were, how we didn't "get it."
I stared at a platter of potato salad coagulating
on the conference room table.
I had nothing to do with the work he was blasting.
But I listened. I took a bullet for the platoon.
Upon reflection, the 90-minute humiliation was worth it.
We got a great story out the deal.
And the clients who stuck with us
were rewarded with beautiful work.
"Tim Sproul is able to capture the soul of a client's brand. As a writer, he translates his poetry into beautiful brand language that connects on a human level. He's courageous and a great collaborator. Tim is a total pro and a great person."
— Peter Metz, Co-Founder, CCO, Sockeye
“Tim's passion and enthusiasm throughout the process of production is infectious, a strong compass for and awareness of the authentic leads to great creative opportunities.”
– Matt Noonan, Executive Producer, Curious Films
“Tim was one of my creative partners for over a decade. He's one of the best I’ve ever worked with - A great thinker and a great writer.”
– Darin Brown, CEO, Possible, London
“Tim understood digital and he understood the Coors Light brand. When you liberally sprinkle his creativity and energy on top, we discovered engaging digital advertising.”
— Andy England, CMO, MillerCoors